Reprieve from $4 an hour parking rates?

Seattleites may get a break from the new, $4 hourly parking rates in some neighborhoods before the higher fees even go into effect later this year.

City Councilman Tim Burgess said Wednesday afternoon that officials are reviewing a Seattle Department of Transportation study that led to the new, increased rates. PubliCola reported on the possible change of heart earlier in the day.

Speaking at a City Hall forum organized by the Downtown Seattle Association, Burgess said the city was still committed to changing the way it approaches parking in the 13,500 paid spaces throughout the city. Seattle wants to switch from a system that is based solely on bringing in revenue and switch to a market-driven approach that will help businesses, people trying to find an empty spot and reduce carbon emissions.”

“This is new for Seattle, and it’s relatively new for the country,” Burgess said during the forum. “Admittedly, we’re on the cutting edge.” Click here for more.